Marcus Rashford has something special and we felt it straight away, insists Manchester United's Juan Mata: 'He can be great for years to come'

  • Juan Mata attended Soccerex's Global Convention in Manchester this week 
  • He spoke about United team-mate Marcus Rashford and his meteoric rise
  • Mata says he realised Rashford was special as soon as he joined the first-team
  • Rashford has the potential to be great for both club and country, says Mata  

Juan Mata has heaped praise on his Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford, insisting he knew he was special from the moment he first saw him.

Rashford has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks at Manchester United, and is now regularly playing both at Old Trafford and for England's senior team.

But one man not surprised is Mata, who says he could see the talent in 19-year-old Rashford right from the beginning.

Juan Mata lauded his Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford at Soccerex this week

Juan Mata lauded his Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford at Soccerex this week

Rashford had something special that was immediately apparent, according to Spaniard Mata

Rashford had something special that was immediately apparent, according to Spaniard Mata

Speaking at the Soccerex Global Convention, Mata said: 'It's been great for us since he started. When he started in the first-team, we felt something special about him and he's doing it. He's making some good steps in his evolution.


'He's a great player with some good conditions. A good mentality as well, which is very important for his age. Scoring goals for England, and for us, and I'm happy to have him in our team.

'He can change the game with one sprint, one skill, and he's a great talent that hopefully will be great for Manchester United and England in many years to come.'

A similar view was shared by a Manchester United legend, too. Edwin van der Sar is currently the CEO at Ajax, and is keen to bring through young players in Holland. 

Mata says Rashford's ability was immediately obvious when he joined the United first team

Mata says Rashford's ability was immediately obvious when he joined the United first team

Rashford can be exciting for both club and country in years to come, according to the Spaniard

Rashford can be exciting for both club and country in years to come, according to the Spaniard

'Marcus is a great example,' the former goalkeeper said. 'You look at his pace, he's technically good, he scores goals, and that's what you need and want as a club. 

'That's the same as the development we have at Ajax. We might not be able to buy those big name players but we put the emphasis on our academy, making sure the players can develop and get the chances at 18, 19 years old and at England 21, 22, 23, when you're still counted as a talent.'

Rashford scored in his last game for Manchester United, against Leicester, while also netting the winning goal for England against Slovakia this week 

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